The Stooshie: the politics podcast from DC Thomson

By DC Thomson

What's The Stooshie: the politics podcast from DC Thomson about?

Insight and analysis with a Scottish focus from political commentators from The Courier, The Press & Journal, the Evening Telegraph and the Evening Express.

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The Stooshie: the politics podcast from DC Thomson episodes:

06.19.2024
Election latest, and an Aberdeenshire shock
We discuss how Labour suspended its candidate in Aberdeenshire North and Moray East after exclusive reporting from our politics team. What happens next in the big contest between the SNP and Tories in the crucial region? Does Gordon Brown's impact still resonate...
06.12.2024
Douglas Ross and the Tory turmoil
Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross rocked his own campaign, leaving us to wonder what can possibly happen next. We look at new polling on the picture in Scotland, and what's happening with Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak. And we wonder if everyone's...
06.05.2024
John Swinney interview special
In an exclusive interview, John Swinney says he feared for his party when he stood to become leader earlier this year. Speaking to David Clegg, the first minister reflected on the fast-paced first weeks in office, propelled from a think-tank event...
05.29.2024
General election fever, week 1
Rishi Sunak came to the Highlands where he doesn’t even have a candidate. Keir Starmer promised Scotland the earth, but not a location for his fabled GB Energy HQ. John Swinney found himself in an election moments after becoming First Minister. We discuss...
05.22.2024
Why Scotland's doctors are worried about Physician Associates
Simon Barker, a children's orthopaedic surgeon in Aberdeen, explains the growing concern over the use of new “physician associates” in a stretched health service. Are they valuable, quickly-trained additions, or is this “mission creep” to paper over gaps doctors can’t always...
05.15.2024
Scotland's new drug addiction recovery plan explored
Douglas Ross tells us drug addiction and death is a problem in rural areas like his Moray constituency, not just cities with problems such as Dundee and Glasgow. The Tory leader explains why his ‘right to addiction recovery bill’ should get...
05.08.2024
We search for words of wisdom as John Swinney becomes First Minister
Becoming first minister was the easy bit for John Swinney. Now the handshakes and warm words are over, the hard work of governing begins. We speak with Kayleigh Quinn, who knows a thing or two about wrangling a difficult group at Holyrood. The...
05.01.2024
Humza Yousaf quits - what next for the SNP?
Humza Yousaf folded on April 29 after losing authority by ditching his Green coalition partners. We ask people in the outgoing first minister’s home city of Dundee what they think of his year in charge. We also hear from Green MSP Maggie...
04.24.2024
Alistair Greig’s £13m Ponzi fraud
A long-running plea for justice in the north of Scotland is being described as similar in scale to the Post Office scandal. At its heart are the dozens of families devastated by conman Alistair Greig. He was a respected financial advisor based...
04.17.2024
Is Labour ready for power?
Jennifer Lees-Marshment has studied political marketing and management since the rise of Tony Blair. In this episode, she tells us how the main parties are approaching the phony war before the election date is set. She also describes concerns that politicians are...
04.10.2024
Scotland's trade unions chief on hopes for a Labour government, equal pay and the future for oil and gas
Ahead of their conference in Dundee next week, Justin Bowie sits down with Roz Foyer, general secretary of the Scottish Trades Union Congress, to discuss what she thinks a potential Labour win in Westminster will mean for workers in Scotland. Roz...
04.03.2024
Recess rewind: Hate crime, budget cuts and election fever
Our team takes stock of a turbulent end of term at the Scottish Parliament. We look at the reaction to the Hate Crime Act, and the high profile interventions from JK Rowling to Ally McCoist. Meanwhile, there's an election looming - are...
03.27.2024
Assisted Dying: Scotland prepares for third attempt at law change
We speak to Liam McArthur, the MSP steering controversial assisted dying laws through Holyrood at the third time of asking. Are the safeguards enough to convince sceptics? Has Scotland’s parliament changed its mind since the last time it was debated? The Bill will...
03.20.2024
Fornethy House abuse survivors on their fight for justice
Description: Survivors of historical abuse at Fornethy House in Angus tell us about their experience, and fury at being snubbed for compensation. Four women join us to explain what happened to them as children, with harrowing memories. And they react to Deputy...
03.13.2024
Alex Cole-Hamilton interview special
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton speaks to The Stooshie about his party's hopes for the General Election, and how they want to oust the SNP as the third largest party in Westminster. We also discuss his position on the windfall...
03.06.2024
Budget blues and climate crisis
Alarm bells are ringing that people don’t realise the sheer scale of lifestyle changes needed to meet climate targets and “net zero”. At the same time, voters see governments balance the books off their backs, and fail to hit the big...
02.28.2024
Michael Gove interview as Tories meet in Aberdeen
Michael Gove is the special guest for a feature length interview. The Aberdeen-raised UK Government minister has plenty to say in the run-up to Conservative party conference in the Granite City. He responds to concerns about “Islamophobia” in his party, gets into...
02.19.2024
Liz Lloyd and Alan Roden reflect on Scottish Labour conference
We're joined by Nicola Sturgeon's former chief of staff, Liz Lloyd, and ex Scottish Labour communications director Alan Roden for a conference special. The weekend gathering in Glasgow saw a set-piece speech from leader Anas Sarwar and UK party boss Sir...
02.14.2024
Interview special with Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar
Anas Sarwar tells The Stooshie how he attempts to lead his party by channelling legendary football managers Jose Mourinho and Sir Alex Ferguson. And he reveals which premiership manager he'd compare First Minister Humza Yousaf with. We also discuss Labour's plan...
02.07.2024
Yes City revisited
We speak to the people of Dundee, Scotland’s Yes City, to test the mood on a difficult year for the SNP and independence. Have attitudes changed as the dust settles on Nicola Sturgeon’s appearance at the Covid inquiry? Perth and North Perthshire...
01.31.2024
Jason Leitch, Eljamel and budget woes
Covid adviser Jason Leitch has been a recurring character in the Covid inquiry. We discuss how he has also become central to a second inquiry, one which looks into harm caused by ex Dundee surgeon Sam Eljamel. We're joined by MSP Liz...
01.24.2024
Covid bereaved lawyer Aamer Anwar on 'shattered trust'
Human rights lawyer Aamer Anwar speaks to us about the damage of the Covid inquiry. He represents bereaved families who are furious at the drip-feed of private messages emerging from government figures and officials. We discuss the impact on national clinical director...
01.17.2024
Lift-off for Shetland spaceport
We hear from the man behind exciting plans to send rockets from Shetland. Scott Hammond tells us schools are changing their classwork, jobs are coming to the islands and offshore workers are finding new employment. The first launch could be this summer...
01.10.2024
Post Office interview special episode
Myra Philp’s mother, Mary, died before getting to clear her name in the Post Office fraud miscarriage of justice. In our featured interview, Myra, from Fife, tells us about the devastating impact of the flawed investigation in a national scandal. We also...
12.20.2023
The 2023 Stooshie politics quiz
You can play along as our top team takes part in an end of year quiz. We nominate our picks for Stooshie of the year. And we race through some news too, one day after a tough budget in parliament. See you in...
12.13.2023
Labour’s satanic panic in Glenrothes
We discuss our exclusive report on Labour’s Glenrothes candidate who has been ditched by party bosses over his “sexy” and “satanic” fiction output. Altany Craik is already a long-serving Fife councillor, but it seems he is no longer considered eligible for...
12.06.2023
Stephen Flynn interview on his first year as SNP Westminster leader
SNP Westminster boss Stephen Flynn joins The Stooshie for a featured interview on his rollercoaster first year in the job. The Aberdeen South politician reflects on everything from replacing Ian Blackford in the post to being named the UK’s ‘hardest’ MP. He...
11.29.2023
Time for Suzanne’s Law
We speak about the P&J;’s new true crime podcast and how Arlene Fraser’s murder 25 years ago, and the murder of Suzanne Pilley, could lead to a change in the law. Our team discusses Humza Yousaf’s trip to COP28 climate conference...
11.22.2023
Labour in a tangle over Gaza ceasefire call
As fighting in Gaza is temporarily halted, disputes within the Labour Party over whether to call for a permanent ceasefire show no sign of slowing down. With First Minister Humza Yousaf's family now safely back in Scotland and sharing details of...
11.15.2023
Tories reshuffle back in time
David Cameron is back in government. The SNP are calling for independence in Europe. We look at the odd new political landscape, which looks eerily like it did in 2014. Our featured interview is with Kemnay mum Tracey Gibbon, who tells us...
11.08.2023
SNP challenger Stephen Gethins on ”unfinished business”
Ex MP Stephen Gethins famously got into parliament by a two-vote margin in 2017. He’s been out since 2019 but wants back at the next election. We discuss why anyone would want to do that, the unfinished business at Westminster, independence and...
11.01.2023
Alex Salmond and Ash Regan on Alba’s future
Former first minister Alex Salmond joins us for a featured interview with Derek Healey on his political plans. The ex leader discusses frustration with SNP policy and the route to a referendum. He also describes his hopes for a meeting with...
10.25.2023
After the storm
Storm Babet caused fatal devastation in parts of eastern Scotland, and there’s likely more extreme weather to come. Are our emergency services funded well enough to cope? We speak to Aberdeen fire fighter Simon Leroux from the Fire Brigades Union who raises...
10.16.2023
SNP Conference Special
Nicola Sturgeon’s former chief of staff, Liz Lloyd, and ex Scottish Labour communications director Alan Roden join our team to discuss the SNP’s fortunes as Humza Yousaf attends the party conference in Aberdeen.
10.11.2023
MP Pete Wishart on independence, Alba and a Rutherglen ’gubbing’
Pete Wishart MP joins us for a look ahead to the conference in Aberdeen where he hopes to shape the SNP’s independence strategy. He shares his views on next steps, the mood of the party, working with Alba and how to...
10.06.2023
Rutherglen byelection special
Three years since Margaret Ferrier caught Covid and boarded a train, we have a new Labour MP in Scotland. Labour’s win in Rutherglen and Hamilton West puts Sir Keir Starmer on course for Downing Street, experts say. The SNP was comprehensively beaten...
09.27.2023
Rosebank oil and Tory backlash
The massive Rosebank oilfield has been approved for business in the North Sea. We look at the political splits and future of energy policy. Tory MSP Maurice Golden tells us why he couldn’t back his party on Rishi Sunak’s climate U-turns. Meanwhile,...
09.20.2023
Kate Forbes and Meghan Gallacher on birth, maternity and better support for families
The SNP’s Kate Forbes told us about her difficult experience giving birth as we discuss an exclusive interview in the P&J; and The Courier. We also feature a discussion with Conservative MSP Meghan Gallacher on the gaps in maternity care and...
09.13.2023
Aye/No, what you did last summer
The Stooshie is now officially moving to a Wednesday with all of your major Scottish political news. In this episode, DC Thomson's politics team - host Andy Philip, along with Derek Healey, Adele Merson and new recruit Alasdair Clark - look...
09.08.2023
Eljamel inquiry victory
The Stooshie returns from summer to mark a stunning victory for campaigners harmed by former NHS Tayside doctor, Sam Eljamel. We have reported on this scandal for years and spoken to victims on previous episodes of the podcast. This week, we talk...
06.30.2023
Stooshie summer quiz
Join in as we test our political knowledge on the week the Scottish Parliament breaks for summer. Our political team discusses the highs and lows of Humza Yousaf's first 100 days in charge. And we cross all our fingers that this summer...
06.23.2023
SNP ’independence convention’ in Dundee
Humza Yousaf comes to Dundee to chart a course to independence. Is this just a talking shop? Meanwhile, he’s got big problems with discipline as rebels such as Fergus Ewing test his patience. Nicola Sturgeon continues to cast a shadow. And, Labour has a...
06.16.2023
Eljamel surgery inquiry, fishing ban campaign, and the end of Boris
Campaigners demand an inquiry into disgraced Dundee surgeon Sam Eljamel. Fishing leaders call for a halt to SNP-Green ban plans. We discuss Boris Johnson's cowardly exit. And we consider what next for the SNP after Nicola Sturgeon was questioned by police.
06.09.2023
Succession: How the SNP and Labour are shaping up for the future
We look at Humza Yousaf’s newly appointed adviser, Kevin Pringle, reflecting on his long history with the SNP. Former Labour MSP Neil Findlay tells us what goes on in the background in a party with eyes on government power. Meanwhile, MP Ian...
06.02.2023
Interview special: Sister of murdered man Alan Geddes on justice reform
Sandra Geddes’s brother Alan was murdered in Aberdeen in 2019. The killer had just got out of Peterhead prison and had nowhere to go. On May 31, Sandra met SNP Justice Secretary Angela Constance to discuss how the system needs reformed for...
05.30.2023
Police Scotland ’institutional racism’ bombshell
Is Police Scotland institutionally racist? We reflect on Sir Iain Livingstone’s verdict and the reaction. Two polls offer a snapshot of SNP fortunes. Keir Starmer comes to Kirkcaldy. And can a school violence summit deliver changes?
05.19.2023
20-minute neighbourhoods and polarised politics
Have you heard about 20-minute neighbourhoods? Transport reporter Joanna Bremner (@C_JBremner) joins us for a chat on the oddly controversial policy. We ask why Nicola Sturgeon took so long to notice how polarised politics is in Scotland. And we wonder what Jacob...
05.12.2023
10 years waiting for surgery; interview on NHS pressure and analysis on latest polls
Why are women waiting years for the surgery they need? Labour MSP Michael Marra (@michaeljmarra) joins us to talk about intolerable NHS pressure. We assess the latest polls for Scotland’s political parties eyeing the general election.
05.05.2023
Coronation interview special: Kings, queens...and Eurovision
Republican-turned-monarchist Adam Tomkins on why the royal ‘circus’ is here to stay. Is the weekend celebration any different to Eurovision, really? Greens MSP Maggie Chapman on the case for a republic. The DC Thomson politics team also look at Humza Yousaf’s anti-poverty mission. And...
04.28.2023
Douglas Ross interview special
The Scottish Conservative leader answers questions on a tough year for his party. Mr Ross, MP for Moray, also discusses Brexit, independence, support for devolution and whether the Tories can hold onto support. He takes aim at the SNP and Greens, while...

What's The Stooshie: the politics podcast from DC Thomson about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

The Stooshie: the politics podcast from DC Thomson episodes:

Election latest, and an Aberdeenshire shock

Douglas Ross and the Tory turmoil

John Swinney interview special

General election fever, week 1

Why Scotland's doctors are worried about Physician Associates

Scotland's new drug addiction recovery plan explored

We search for words of wisdom as John Swinney becomes First Minister

Humza Yousaf quits - what next for the SNP?

Alistair Greig’s £13m Ponzi fraud

Is Labour ready for power?

Scotland's trade unions chief on hopes for a Labour government, equal pay and the future for oil and gas

Recess rewind: Hate crime, budget cuts and election fever

Assisted Dying: Scotland prepares for third attempt at law change

Fornethy House abuse survivors on their fight for justice

Alex Cole-Hamilton interview special

Budget blues and climate crisis

Michael Gove interview as Tories meet in Aberdeen

Liz Lloyd and Alan Roden reflect on Scottish Labour conference

Interview special with Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar

Yes City revisited

Jason Leitch, Eljamel and budget woes

Covid bereaved lawyer Aamer Anwar on 'shattered trust'

Lift-off for Shetland spaceport

Post Office interview special episode

The 2023 Stooshie politics quiz

Labour’s satanic panic in Glenrothes

Stephen Flynn interview on his first year as SNP Westminster leader

Time for Suzanne’s Law

Labour in a tangle over Gaza ceasefire call

Tories reshuffle back in time

SNP challenger Stephen Gethins on ”unfinished business”

Alex Salmond and Ash Regan on Alba’s future

After the storm

SNP Conference Special

MP Pete Wishart on independence, Alba and a Rutherglen ’gubbing’

Rutherglen byelection special

Rosebank oil and Tory backlash

Kate Forbes and Meghan Gallacher on birth, maternity and better support for families

Aye/No, what you did last summer

Eljamel inquiry victory

Stooshie summer quiz

SNP ’independence convention’ in Dundee

Eljamel surgery inquiry, fishing ban campaign, and the end of Boris

Succession: How the SNP and Labour are shaping up for the future

Interview special: Sister of murdered man Alan Geddes on justice reform

Police Scotland ’institutional racism’ bombshell

20-minute neighbourhoods and polarised politics

10 years waiting for surgery; interview on NHS pressure and analysis on latest polls

Coronation interview special: Kings, queens...and Eurovision

Douglas Ross interview special